Exercise escalator



Feb.'24, 1970 I w, -q so ET AL EXERCISE ESCALATOR Filed April 5, 1967 3Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS' ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1970 'w. K. HARRISON ET AL3,497,215

EXERCISE ESCALATOR Filed April 5, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m I N l lINVENTORS Q J J A SAMUEL A. TALBOTIDEEASED g B BELLE orro TALBOT,Execufrix h AND WALTER K; HARRISON ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1970 I K. HARRISONET 3,497,215

EXERCISE IESCALATOR Filed April 5, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet a FIG. 4.

"m 72 H6. 3. so 38%? 54 6 6m INVENTORS SAMUEL A. TALBOTIDECEASED BYBELLE OTTO TALBOT, Execufrix 56 AND WALTER K. HARRISON 54 BY Mal/6ATTORNEY United States Patent 0.

3,497,215 EXERCISE ESCALATOR Walter K. Harrison, Baltimore, Md., andSamuel A. Talbot, deceased, late of Baltimore, Md., by Belle OttoTalbot, executrix, Baltimore, Md., assignors to The Johns HopkinsUniversity, a corporation of Maryland Filed Apr. 3, 1967, Ser. No.628,158

Int. Cl. A63b 23/06 US. Cl. 27269 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Anin-place exerciser is described which resembles a reverse actionescalator. The apparatus consists of a plurality of steps coupledtogether. The steps rest on a set of wheels each rolling in a groovebetween a pair of oval tracks. As the steps move down under the subjectsweight, roller chains on either side drive a sprocket, the shaft ofwhich is connected by belting to a hydraulic pump. The pump circulatesoil through a restrictor valve which provides a controllable workload. Atachometer generates a voltage which is indicated on a meter as a rateor other factor of the work expended. A fixed landing is provided as abottom step and works a brake to halt the motion of the steps.

This invention relates generally to exercising devices, and moreparticularly it pertains to an exercise escalator apparatus forelectro-cardiograph testing of patients with coronary heart disease.

The exercise testers now used for cardiac investigation were designedfor various purposes. Treadmills were developed especially for studiesof cardio-respiratory function in persons in a fair degree of health.Bicycle ergometers similarly were designed in Europe mainly for researchin physiology rather than pathology.

The various step-tests were indeed intended to dilferentiate betweensubjects of uncertain cardiac status, at milder levels of exercise.However, they were hardly designed for use with the recent techniques ofmultilead electrocardiographic recording throughout exercise, forexercise maintained at a controlled level of tachycardia, nor forclinical investigations involving the old and infirm. For the latterpurposes, all three of the usual methods have certain disadvantages.

In this country, step-tests are the most widely used. For the presentpurpose the main difficulties are that the rate of exercise is hard toregulate and that many patients are awkward and unstable in stepping upand down rapidly when hampered by the electrodes and cable needed torecord twelve (12) leads in exercise electrocardiography. During rapidintermittent exercise, these electrodes are frequently jarred loose andartefacts appear in the record, particularly in patients who areoverweight. Furthermore, the work performed during step-tests isdifiicult to express quantitatively, chiefly because the effort expendedduring descent, although considerable, cannot be stated in terms of workdone.

Pedaling on a bicycle is a type of leg exercise to which most subjectsare unused in this country. Thus, subjects are apt to experienceexcessive fatigue of the lower limbs before the desired challenge to thecardiopulmonary system is obtained. Many patients have found therequisite balance and coordination diflicult or impossible. Of ninety(90) subjects selected for the electrocardiographic exercise test on theLanooy bicycle, nine (9) were unable to pedal effectively, even afterpractice. Unaccustomed types of exercise are performed more or lessinefficiently. Thus, it is difiicult to infer accurately the physiologicload from the recorded work in any particular individual.

3,497,215 Patented Feb. 24, 1970 "ice Ordinary walking is natural andthus appears to be an ideal type of work for most physiologic studiesand particularly exercise electrocardiography. This principle is appliedin treadmill exercise. The usual motor-driven machine, however, hasserious drawbacks when used for exercising patients suspected of havingcoronary heart disease. During the test there is real danger of falling,and, in an emergency, it is not possible to stop the motion rapidly, sothat an additional technician is required as a catcher. Apprehensioninduced in some people by the treadmill exercise adds to the patientsdiscomfort and produces psychological stress that is significantlydisturbing in cardiac tests.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an exerciseescalator which is driven entirely by the patients own weight and underhis control.

Another object of this invention is to provide an exercise escalator formuscles which are most commonly used and in a manner giving relativeimmobility to the upper part of the body for optimum lead attachment.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a landing brake foran escalator-exerciser.

To provide an energy absorber for the exercise escalator controllablethrough a wide range, is another object of the invention.

Even still another object of this invention is to provide an exerciseescalator which is especially suited for multilead electrocardiographyduring the exercise of patients with coronary heart disease.

Other objects of this invention are to provide an exercise escalatorthat presents minimal danger to the weak and unsteady; one whichexercises the muscles habitually used by nonathletic people; and onewhich the pattern of muscular coordination is already well known so thatthe effect of training is minimized.

Still other objects of this invention are to provide an exerciseescalator in which the rate of Work (power) of the patient is directlyproportional to the speed of stepping on the exercise escalator, inwhich the mechanics thereof is simple; one in which the calibration doesnot change; and one in which there is no external power requirement.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the invention will become morereadily apparent and understood from the following detailedspecification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise escalator incorporatingfeatures of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the exercise escalatorwith its drive train disclosed diagramatically;

FIG. 3 is a further diagramatic disclosure of the drive train as viewedapproximately from the left of FIG. 2 in an unfolded elevation;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one of acontinuous chain of stairs along with its associated details; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view depicting the intermeshing of the stepplates and fingers of the brake treadle.

Referring now to the details of the exercise escalator of this inventionshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 indicates generally anexercise escalator or staircase of movable steps.

The exercise escalator 10 consists of an enclosure 12 having a pair ofsidewalls 14 and front and rear endwalls 16 and 18, respectively. Thetop is largely open in an upwardly sloping direction except for a shortsection of ceiling 19 which forms a continuation of the rear endwall.

This open portion is outlined by an upstanding pair of side parapets andan upper parapet 21 and also exposes several step assemblies of acontinuous chain of stairs 26 housed within the enclosure 12.

The step assemblies 30 are mounted for circulation around a closed loopconsisting of a pair of spaced tracks 28, one on each sidewall 14. Asshown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, the step assemblies 30 each consist ofa plurality of triangular plates 32, the composite edges of which form atread 34.

Each plate 32 is provided with a lightening hole 36 and is spaced fromadjacent plates 32 wtih spacers 38. A fixture 40 having a lower andupper flange 42 and 46, respectively, is fastened to the lower side ofboth outermost plates 32 with fasteners 58 which pass through a webportion 44 of the lower flange 42. The upper flange 46 is offset fromthe web 44.

At one end of fixture 40, a chain straddling yoke 48 is formed andprovided with a stub shaft 50 and hole 52 which registers with similarholes (not shown) in the plates 32 and spacers 38. The other end offixture 40 extends in an offset tab 54 having a hole 56.

A threaded connecting rod through the tabs 54 of one step assembly 30and continuing through the holes 52 of the adjacent step assembly 30forms a hinged coupling between steps when provided with a nut 62 asbest shown in FIG. 4.

A continuous chain 64 extends along each side of the step assemblies 30further linking them together and providing a power take-off means. Thechains 64 have special T-shaped links 66 by which they are secured withfasteners 68 to holes 70 in the upper flange 46.

Rollers 72 are mounted on the stub shafts 50 and secured for rotation bynuts 74. The tracks 28 captivate the rollers 72 in their channels andmaintain the tread 34 of each step assembly 30 in a horizontal attitudeas it is exposed at the open top of the enclosure 12.

The weight of a subject mounting these exposed steps 30 causes them tomove downward and around the tracks 28, as shown by the curved dashedarrow in FIG. 2.

The chains 64 pass over sprockets 76 and rotate a gear train, best shownin FIG. 3, consisting of a sprocket shaft 78, gears 80 and 82 and ashaft 84. A pulley 86 on the latter shaft 84 is coupled to a pulley 90by a belt 88. This rotates a shaft 92 which is common to two pulleys 94and 108. Pulley 94 is coupled by belt 95 to the pulley 96 of an oil pump98. Pulley 108 coupled by belt 110 to a pulley 112 rotates a tachometer114.

Electrical leads 116 connect the tachometer 114 to a speed indicator 118as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A potentiometer knob 120 is used foradjusting the speed indicator 118.

The oil pump 98 is connected by hydraulic lines 100 in a closed loopincluding further a constrictor valve 104 and a sump 106, shown in FIGS.1 and 2. A pressure gauge 102 on the upstream side of the valve 104indicates the pressure buildup of the circulating fluid and hence givesan indication related to the work expended by the subject being tested.

If the subject stops climbing action, he is carried to a lower treadle132 through the fingers 134 of which thesteps 30 pass in interdigitizedmanner (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 6). The treadle 132 is provided with apivotal shaft 130, one end of which passes through the fingers 134 andspacers 136. The other end passes through the sidewall 14. As thetreadle 132 is depressed, the shaft oscillates.

As best shown in FIG. 1, this motion is transmitted through a linkagecomprising a lever 128 and a connecting rod 126 to an actuating lever124 of a brake drum assembly 122. As shown in FIG. 3, this brake drumassembly 122 is mounted .on the sidewall 14 and serves to stop therotation of shaft 84 and thus the movement of the chains 64 and steps30.

For ease in positioning the exercise escalator 10, it is provided withcastors 22. Auxiliary stairs 24 are a useful adjunct.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. An escalator type apparatus for exercising a subject in situ in asimulated stair climbing activity, comprising, structure including aflight of steps movable in a closed loop, each step having a closedriser aflixed thereto, and means operatively connected to said apparatusfor measuring the effort of a subject in the act of simulated climbingof said flight of movable steps.

2. An escalator type apparatus for exercising a subject as recited inclaim 1, and additionally plural adjustable resistive means coupled tosaid flight of movable steps and tending to oppose movement thereof,said plural adjustable resistive means being independently actuatable.

3. An escalator type apparatus for exercising a subject in situ in asimulated stair climbing activity, comprising structure including aflight of steps movable in a closed loop, means for measuring the effortof a subject in the act of simulated climbing of said flight of movablesteps, a subject deflectable landing at the foot of said flight ofmovable steps, and other resistive means coupled to said flight ofmovable steps and controlled by said subject deflectable landing to stopmovement of said flight of movable steps.

4. An escalator type apparatus for exercising a subject as recited inclaim 3, and additionally means for steadying said subject in situduring the simulated stair climbing activity on said flight of movablestairs, said means for steadying said subject extending parallel withsaid flight of steps downward to said deflectable landing.

5. An escalator type apparatus for exercising a subject as recited inclaim 2, one of said plural adjustable resistive means including landingmeans disposed substantially horizontally adjacent said flight of steps,and additionally means for maintaining said steps of said flight ofmovable steps in substantially horizontal attitude parallel with saidlanding during at least a portion of the movement of said flight ofsteps in said closed loop.

6. An escalator type apparatus for exercising a subject in situ, in asimulated stair climbing activity, comprising, structure including aflight of steps movable in a closed loop, each said step having a closedriser aflixed to the step, means coupled to said movable flight of stepsand tending to oppose movement of said flight of steps in said closedpath, and other means coupled to said movable flight of steps formeasuring the effort of a subject in the act of simulated climbing ofsaid flight of movable steps.

7. An escalator type apparatus for exercising a subject in situ, in asimulated stair climbing activity, comprising, structure including aflight of steps movable in a closed loop, means coupled to said movableflight of steps and tending to oppose movement of said flight of stepsin said closed path, other means coupled to said movable flight of stepsfor measuring the effort of a subject in the act of simulated climbingof said flight of movable steps, a subject deflectable landing at thefoot of said flight of movable steps, and resistive means coupled tosaid flight of movable steps and controlled by said subject deflectablelanding to stop movement of said flight of movable steps.

8. An escalator type apparatus for exercising a subject as recited inclaim 7, and additionally means for steadying said subject in situduring the simulated stair climbing activity on said flight of movablestairs, said means for steadying said subject extending downward fromsaid flight of steps to said deflectable landing.

9. An escalator type apparatus for exercising a subject as recited inclaim 7, and additionally means for main- 7 taining said steps of saidflight of movable steps in sub- 6 stantially horizontal attitudeparallel with said subject References Cited deflectable landing duringat least a portion of the mov- UNITED STATES PATENTS ment of said flightof steps in said closed loop.

10. An escalator type apparatus as recited in claim 9, 1,016,729 2/1912Barrett 272-69 each said step of said movable flight including laterally5 2,04 ,764 6/1936 Birch 272-69 spaced members, and said deflectablelanding including 15 5/1946 Drake 272-69 laterally spaced members offsetfrom the said step laterally spaced members and positioned forinter-meshing ANTON OECHSLE Pnmary Exammer therewith. RICHARD W. DIAZ,111., Assistant Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION Patent No. 3h972l5 Dated February 2L! 97 "Inventor(s) dWalter F. Harrison It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 1, after the Title insert the following; paragraph:

-- The invention described herein was made in the course of work under agrant or award from the the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of February 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officerand Trademarks FORM PC4050 (ID-69} USCOMM DC 3" F us covunuun rum-moomct; 369 93

